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Johnstone Supply opens in Daytona

Portland, Oregon-based Johnstone Supply, a wholesaler of parts for heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, is the latest national chain to expand to the Volusia-Flagler area. It opened a store in Daytona Beach — its first in the area — on Monday.

Published: Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 5:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 5:08 p.m.

DAYTONA BEACH — The Volusia-Flagler area has attracted another national chain.

Johnstone Supply, a Portland, Ore.-based wholesale distributor of parts and accessories used in heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, has opened a store — its first in Volusia County — at 1871 Mason Ave. in Daytona Beach.

The 33,000-square-foot building, on the corner of Fentress Boulevard and Mason was previously an AO Precision Manufacturing plant and has been vacant since June 2010 when AO, needing more space, moved to its present location across the street.

Robert Smith, manager of the new Johnstone Supply store, said his company only sells products to licensed HVAC contractors. The store, which opened this week, has four employees.

Smith said the Daytona Beach location is a perfect fit to his company’s plans as it complements its larger distribution centers in Orlando and Jacksonville. Its closest distribution center is in Sanford.

“We want to build a complete distribution channel along Central and North Florida,” he said. Smith said his company intends to be “the leading independent wholesale supplier in the HVAC industry.”

Founded in 1953, Johnstone Supply has more than 370 locations throughout the country and generates approximately $1.3 billion dollars in annual sales, according to its website. Most of its stores are franchise-owned.

Budd Severino, the owner of the building where Johnstone now has its Daytona Beach store, said he is glad to have the national chain as a tenant.

Local builder Bob Fitzsimmons, president of the Volusia Building Industry Association and CEO of Gallery Homes of DeLand, said the improving local housing market should make Johnstone a good fit for the area.

“There was a time in 2007 to 2008 where there were only about 500 homes built in all of the municipalities (in Volusia County),” said Fitzsimmons. “That number has climbed back up to 1,270 homes in 2013 — that’s dramatically better than worst part of recession,” he said.

<p><span class="Dateline">DAYTONA BEACH —</span> The Volusia-Flagler area has attracted another national chain.</p><p>Johnstone Supply, a Portland, Ore.-based wholesale distributor of parts and accessories used in heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, has opened a store — its first in Volusia County — at 1871 Mason Ave. in Daytona Beach.</p><p>The 33,000-square-foot building, on the corner of Fentress Boulevard and Mason was previously an AO Precision Manufacturing plant and has been vacant since June 2010 when AO, needing more space, moved to its present location across the street.</p><p>Robert Smith, manager of the new Johnstone Supply store, said his company only sells products to licensed HVAC contractors. The store, which opened this week, has four employees.</p><p>Smith said the Daytona Beach location is a perfect fit to his company’s plans as it complements its larger distribution centers in Orlando and Jacksonville. Its closest distribution center is in Sanford.</p><p>“We want to build a complete distribution channel along Central and North Florida,” he said. Smith said his company intends to be “the leading independent wholesale supplier in the HVAC industry.”</p><p>Founded in 1953, Johnstone Supply has more than 370 locations throughout the country and generates approximately $1.3 billion dollars in annual sales, according to its website. Most of its stores are franchise-owned.</p><p>Budd Severino, the owner of the building where Johnstone now has its Daytona Beach store, said he is glad to have the national chain as a tenant.</p><p>Local builder Bob Fitzsimmons, president of the Volusia Building Industry Association and CEO of Gallery Homes of DeLand, said the improving local housing market should make Johnstone a good fit for the area. </p><p>“There was a time in 2007 to 2008 where there were only about 500 homes built in all of the municipalities (in Volusia County),” said Fitzsimmons. “That number has climbed back up to 1,270 homes in 2013 — that’s dramatically better than worst part of recession,” he said.</p><br>